INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A WESTERN BRAZILIAN AMAZONIAN CITY

• Main Authors: Tatiane Dalamaria (Author), Wagner de Jesus Pinto (Author), Edson dos Santos Farias (Author), Orivaldo Florencio de Souza (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo, 2020-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1984-0462; 10.1590/1984-0462/2021/39/2019270
• Keywords: Addictive behavior; Leisure activities; Internet; Adolescents; Pediatrics; RJ1-570
• Source: Revista Paulista de Pediatria, Vol 39 (2020)

ABSTRACT Objective: Analyze the prevalence and factors associated with internet addiction in a sample of high school adolescents in Acre, a state in northern Brazil. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,387 adolescents between 14 and 18 years old enrolled in high schools in the city of Rio Branco, Acre. A structured questionnaire with questions about demographics, family and behavioral patterns was applied. Internet addiction was verified using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), with a cutoff equal to or greater than 70 points. The associated factors were identified by multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: The overall prevalence of Internet addiction was 10.6%. Higher dependence was observed in females. The factors associated with Internet addiction were being female, using the computer for more than two hours a day during weekdays and on the weekend, not practicing physical activities and going out to dance at nightclubs and concerts at least once a month. A protective association of reading habits in relation to Internet dependence was observed. Conclusions: The present study showed a high prevalence of Internet dependence, with female adolescents being more susceptible. Behavioral aspects were associated with internet dependence in a sample of adolescents from Rio Branco, Acre.